Jared Galleria of Jewelry

My now husband got my engagement ring through a different Jared’s location but we came to this one to purchase our wedding bands. We had previously gone to a different location to browse and felt very pressured. After coming here we were pleasantly surprised by how welcoming and relaxed the staff were. We decided on a custom make for my ring. I have to say that initially when I picked up my ring I did not like it. The milling and spacing of the diamonds was very poor and made the ring appear dull and cheap. However, after having the ring for almost a year (since it sat on a shelf until we got married) I returned and voiced my concerns about the poor workmanship. They took my ring and redid all the milling, diamond placement, sizing, and thinned it out. It looked absolutely perfect after the rework and they did not charge me a dime. I am so happy that I came back because they corrected the problem immediately and without any hassle. That is why I would still give this Jared’s location a 5. Every business can screw up, but it’s how they handle the problems that determines their quality.

I cannot believe this place. My boyfriend and I went in to look at engagement rings, and while they were kind at first, they were very pushy to buy a ring RIGHT AWAY. Then they go on to tell me they wanna run a soft check on my credit to see what I would qualify for. Was told this wouldn’t affect my score. Well a week later I get a freaking credit card in the mail! And my credit score dropped like 100 points. So needless to say, we will NOT be purchasing my ring from this store.
Fortunately, the credit company they work with was able to close the card, but now I have to get it off my credit reports. I would NOT recommend coming here for anything.

I was holding off on this review to gather my thoughts. I purchased and Omega Speedmaster Professional from the Skokie location. Now, I’m not a particularly hard guy to please. BUT i do have a few complaints and impressions. Lets get this started.
1.Initially the watch band leather was worn and faded as if it has been sitting out under the showcase lights for years and I also noticed a minor scuff at 12 o’clock. They were generous to let me wear the «damaged» Omega while my replacement was shipping. Definite plus there.
2. I finally receive my «new» speedmaster!” I get in the car and then what do i notice? A deep scratch perfectly aligned with the 7 o’clock marker. I let it go.
3. I do some research. I find out my reference number was discontinued. I went to an authorized Omega dealership. to buy a discontinued model. My brand new watch on was already discontinued.
4. I look at the warranty and reference cards (this is about a month after purchase) and I find that the cards don’t match the watch! I could not let this one go. Luckily Matthew (the manager) was nice enough to find the correct paper work. BUT what should have been a fun/​seamless experience, was a mess.
Like I stated earlier. I am extremely easy to please. I literally let issues go. After all, there is more to life than a watch collection. After all is said and done, I cannot help but be a bit disappointed. Sorry Jared, will not be shopping there again!

Jared gets 2 stars solely because of the manager, Matt. My well-​intentioned fiancé got my engagement ring with extended service plan online through Jared, although I would have been happy with something more modest and unique from a vintage shop, but that’s a first world problem.
1. I don’t think the ring is worth the price, but as he ordered it well before proposing, we can’t return it.
2. I also don’t think the thing is worth $ 130 service plan, which also comes with all sorts of hoops for maintenance and inspection in order to remain valid, and doesn’t actually cover any stones or anything I can actually think would happen to the thing. Not to mention it’s a 45 minute haul to the closest Jared to have them size it or do anything to it.
The ring and the service plan are a rip-​off. However, dealing with the manager Matt for getting sized and discussing the plan wasn’t awful. If you have to be stuck dealing with the worst chain jeweler, at least hope you get to interact with Matt.

My boyfriend J and I spent nearly 2 hours picking out my engagement ring with Pat. She was not just extremely helpful, she was excited about helping us!
(I work retail and after working at my job for 8 years, it’s difficult to very excited with every client.)
Pat was very helpful and made sure we knew what we were getting, the 4C’s, the sizing and the price. We walked out the door with the PERFECT ring and J and I are thrilled with the experience and Pat. We will go back to Skokie Jared and Pat for our wedding rings and anything else we need. Pat, you have 2 happy customers and clients for life.

I think Jared has come a long way as far as new employees and new ways of customer service.
Awesome!

This Jared location is so awful I feel compelled to let my fellow Unilocalers know to STEER CLEAR of it.
I have one ring from Jared that was purchased years ago from the store’s Lombard location. Generally, I go to that location every six months to have my ring cleaned and inspected. This weekend I was short on time, so I decided to go to the Skokie location instead, which is closer to my home.
Big mistake. HUGE.
The place was empty when I arrived, and there were at least four women working there. I was helped immediately, but was immediately perplexed by the salesperson’s lack of knowledge about anything she was doing. I asked her for the jeweler to please buff out my ring. She asked it I wanted rhodium plating on my ring. No, just buffing. She then starts talking about my «white gold ring.» I’m sorry, but you work at a jewelry store and cannot tell the difference between white gold and platinum?! Not a good sign.
I then stood around for almost 30 minutes while all these incompetent women freaked out about not having all my customer information. I had brought in all my paperwork but apparently that wasn’t good enough. I understand that a lot of retail computer systems suck, and that isn’t the fault of the sales associates. However, I suggested multiple times that if they needed additional info, they just call the Lombard store to get it. And they refused, just keeping me waiting longer.
Finally I heard two of them huddled behind the counter, and one asked the other, «How much do you think the ring is worth? We need to have a declared value.» At that point I announced that I was no longer comfortable leaving my ring in their care, and demanded it back. They acted all pissy with me, and one of them finally gave it back while the other stalked away. I said that I also needed my paperwork, and the remaining woman just started blankly at me, like she didn’t know what I was talking about. I was finally able to get that back from her too. Then I asked if she was the manager, and she said yes. I proceeded to tell her how my experience at the store was unacceptable, with truly awful customer service and not even any sort of an apology the whole time I was forced to wait there. I told her I wouldn’t be coming back. I paused, waiting to give her yet another opportunity to make some sort of an apology, and again SHE SAID NOTHING! Just stared at me with a befuddled expression on her face. I turned around and left, and I tell you, I will NEVER go back to that place again. Unreal. There is a world of difference between this place and the Lombard one.
Please do yourself a favor and never set foot in the Skokie Jared!

I went in to have my engagement ring plated. My ring was not purchased at the Jared’s chain, so the staff was not overly friendly. The plating is $ 40 total. After reviewing my ring, they said that some of my diamonds were loose and there was an issue with my prongs that would need to be fixed– all of this would cost $ 140 with the additional $ 40 for plating. And it was «all or nothing», I could not get the plating done without the other changes. I took my ring to another jeweler for a second opinion and there were NO issues with my ring. I will not be purchasing any jewelry or getting any services done at this location (or any)

Friendly staff. Got my niece a nice pair of diamond earrings. The salesman (name started with a J, can’t remember) was really helpful. No complaints here.
I will update this review after I experience the service for my ring check up.

This place is disgusting they have extremely desperate and rude sales associates.
I have purchased things from them before, called once to ask for hours and they were EXTREMELY RUDE, they asked my name as if I asked something outrageous.
Just recently I went in again. We had a specific idea of what we were looking for in mind, but didn’t find it. The sales lady still insisted we open an account, literally asked us three times. Even after we told her they didn’t have what we were looking for.
She was very rude, desperate, and tried to pressure us into getting something even though we had one foot out of the door. Also, when we were walking out all the other desperate and bored sales associates were standing by the door, and one of them was singing/​humming.
Weird place, terrible staff.

My husband and I went into Jared right after we had gotten engaged to look at wedding bands. At the time we really didn’t have any money to purchase our rings at that moment. The lady suggested a Jared card and if I put a payment down I would receive no interest for a year. This was 4 months ago. I looked at my bill today and realized they had been charging me interest the entire time which totaled a whole month payment. I called the hot line and the lady was very helpful but could only reimburse me for the current payment due. I told the lady the only reason I even purchased my rings at that moment was because they guaranteed I could have no interest for a year. I am not one to own cards like this and was hesitant to do it in the first place. I am extremely disappointed in the employees there and what is more frustrating is that their was a note made in the computer that I should have been converted to an interest free card and they still could not credit me the money I lost out on. I don’t have money to just blow like this. I feel I should be compensated in some way if not credit to my card.
Also, when I went in the day before my wedding to get my ring clean, the moment I told them what I needed and already had our wedding bands no one really wanted to help us. So frustrating considering how much we have spent there in the last year. If only they didn’t work on commission I’m sure my experience would have been better.

RIPPED OFF AGAIN!
I had bought my wife a «custom designer,» necklace for $ 500 only to see it in a ad at TARGET for $ 200 a few months later. I checked same one.
My wife bought me a ESQ watch with «free battery replacement.» However the battery was free but to «water test,» was $ 35! The band broke and they kept it for over two months awaiting a replacement from Switzerland. Since it is a black plastic/​rubber band I asked why not put one on from another manufacturer. They could not do it, so I picked it up brought to a Mall Kiosk and they put on a new band in two minutes $ 5. He also replaced the battery the next time $ 5 as well
.
My wife bought me a Tungsten wedding band $ 400, today I got a discount deal from another source same band $ 150. I expect it costs them even less so the mark up is astronomical! Oh yes when it did not fit and I re-​ordered one to fit the «You can not return it policy» kicks in! They also wanted to charge me more to get one in a size that fits and it took over an hour and phone calls to a «manager,» to wave this. Never again.

I’m surprised by some of the negative reviews here.
My wife and I got our wedding bands here this past fall, and couldn’t have been happier with the products or the process. Our saleswoman, Pat, was extremely helpful and was always happy to see us when we came in the shop. I had bought my wife’s engagement ring elsewhere, and the staff was extremely gracious and complimentary about it. They worked with us to find a band that matched, and even cleaned and offered to resize her engagement ring (again purchased elsewhere) for free.
I found a band that I liked at Jared, but it was way more than I wanted to spend. Pat wrote down the exact dimensions and description of what I was looking at, and told me that I could probably get it cheaper elsewhere (which was true). However, a week later we went back in the shop and she told me the price had come down significantly (it came in a little cheaper than Blue Nile). Given her honest approach and excellent service, I was happy to give Jared my business. We even saved a significant amount of money on the rings by opening a Jared Credit card (not a major credit card, just a line of credit at Jared).
Other reviews accuse the staff of being ‘pushy’. I find this to be a pretty harsh description; they are in sales after all. At no time did I feel uncomfortable with the approach of the sales staff.
In summation, due to Jared’s friendly staff and great products (including the care service), we were happy we ‘went to Jared’. Highly recommended.

The salesman at the store asked me if I want to know how much credit I would be eleigible for and I agreed. They never told me that I will get jared Credit Card in my mail. I had to cancel the credit card. Misleading people and screwing people’s credit record will not earn you business.

I had the most bazaar experience here.
My boyfriend purchased a ring for me at this Jared’s as a Christmas gift. At the time of sale, he gave my correct ring size. However, the saleswoman convinced him to buy a half size up and so he did. It cost $ 15 for the original resizing.
Of course, the ring didn’t fit. We returned to resize it, figuring it would be $ 15 or free of charge since we just purchased a ring. Nope. It’s $ 50 to resize. And they tried to sell us a lifetime service for $ 75. Umm… no.
When we explained about our situation, the saleswoman went to speak to her manager. Instead of giving us our options and then sizing my finger properly, they resized the ring I had handed them without consulting me first or measuring my finger. Furthermore, they treated us VERY RUDELY. On the way out, they avoided eye contact, shot us some nasty looks, and had a very «you are not important» attitude.
This is service at its worst. I absolutely do not recommend this place. Too bad… my experience at this store a few years ago was actually positive and we could have returned many more times. But never, never again.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, whatever you do, do NOT come here for ANY reason. I had the worst experience ever here. My and the gf decided to go look at engagement rings. From the time we walked in, we were pressured to buy a ring outright. I definitely was not comfortable with their sales approach.
But, here’s the kicker. The Saleswoman specifically told me «Is it okay if I check your credit to see how much you would be eligible for if you were to make a purchase? Don’t worry, this is a soft inquiry on your credit and it won’t affect anything.» Hearing this, I said, let’s see how much I would be eligible for. Well, what do you know? A few days ago, I open my mail to find a JARED CREDIT CARD. The salewoman misled me to believe they were only checking my credit but ended up opening a new credit account! Now I have to go to all the credit agencies and try to figure this, because I don’t want that credit card, ESPECIALLY from that store.
Please, whatever you do do not come here. You may think it’s safe to go to a big jelewery store, but don’t be fooled.

I should preface this review by saying my fiancé and I had no intention of buying anything, we were merely in the area and wanted to get our ring sizes. However, we figured that since we were going to be there, we might as well look at the wedding rings, because who knows, there’s always the possibility we could be blown away and find a great deal. Sure, the skeptic could say we were just wasting the sales lady’s time, but we showed just as much interest as the other customers, but received far less attention. Fine, we’re just looking at wedding rings, which are infinitely cheaper than engagement rings, but aren’t you a little bit interested in making a sale? When I said, «This is the exact style that I was looking for!» you should be jumping all over it. Was it age discrimination, because we look like we could still be in college? Or was I dressed too casually? Or did you just really want to help that slick-​haired, designer sunglasses-​wearing bro pick out a promise ring for his honey? I was incredibly underwhelmed by the lack of pushiness.
Oh, and I wear a size 8.

DO NOT SHOP HERE. Jared’s Skokie accidentally charged someone else’s purchase on my account. I had to deal with fraud, collections and customer service multiple times. They ensured me it was all being handled and a month later, my phone is ringing from the collections department. Their customer service and collections did not communicate. Regardless, the Skokie store made a HUGE ERROR and now I am wasting time at work sorting it out. I’ve spoken to two different store managers who expressed their apology, etc. but it doesn’t change the fact they have incompetent employees working there,

My husband and I ended up buying my engagement ring and our wedding bands from this Jared. We’re both very satisfied with our purchases and the quality of the diamonds and rings.
I will have to agree with some of the other Unilocal who said the sales staff is pushy, but I understand that the position they’re in is probably commission-​based or at least mostly commission. Buying an engagement ring is a lot like buying a car, and the sales people have to be aggressive if they’re going to be successful.
With that being said, my husband and I went in there «just to look» and left with an engagement ring and matching wedding band for me. We had actually wanted a larger diamond for my engagement ring, but they didn’t have it in stock and would have to order it from an off-​site facility, which required a deposit. When we were like, «Well, that’s OK, we’re just looking anyway,» the sales lady then tried to sell us the smaller diamond. I’m pretty sure she wasn’t going to let us leave the store without an engagement ring. Since Jared will buy back its diamonds at the same price you paid for them to put toward a larger diamond, we went ahead and bought the smaller diamond with the thought that we would upgrade later.
Fast-​forward six months: My then-​fiancé and I went back to Jared to get my rings cleaned and to buy his wedding band. We mentioned that we would eventually upgrade my diamond, and this different sales lady became completely uninterested in helping us pick out my husband’s wedding band and wanted to focus on upgrading my diamond. She wanted us to put deposits down on two or three diamonds that were off-​site. We finally told her that we weren’t ready to buy a bigger diamond right now and that we just wanted to look at wedding bands for my then-​fiancée.
Every other day for the next two or three weeks, my now-​husband received phone calls and voice mails from this sales lady asking him when he wanted to put deposits down to see those diamonds. After not returning her calls, she started calling me and leaving voice mails. After not hearing from either of us, she then apparently went ahead and ordered the diamonds from the outside facility so we wouldn’t have to put the deposits down. She eventually stopped calling, but it took a while. I admire her aggression (I suppose that’s how you have to be if you’re in that line of work), but her phone calls and messages were a little annoying.
I don’t want the aggressive sales staff to overshadow the fact that my husband and I are still very satisfied with our rings; I just think couples should expect to be in a high-​pressure sales situation when buying an engagement ring and/​or diamond.
On another note, my husband and I purchased the Lifetime Metals Plan for all three rings, which includes free sizing for life. I’ve taken advantage of it, and I think it’s a good value.
Overall, I think the products Jared has to offer are beautiful and of a high quality. Sales staff is helpful but aggressive. Be prepared for a HIGH-​PRESSURE SALES SITUATION. Have a game-​plan and be aggressive in saying what you want or if you’re not ready to buy.

To be fair… my now husband and I were in there mostly to browse. We went into twice… the first time to really just browse… the second to get an idea about what exactly cut, clarity and karat really looked like. There’s only so much research you can do online…
Pushy. Rude. Misinformed.
My husband was looking at tungsten wedding bands. The woman we were working with said that if you get tungsten and you have a medical emergency involving your fingers or hands, you CANNOT cut off said ring. We immediately stopped looking into tungsten (inexpensive) and began looking at white gold and platinum (more expensive). We also noticed that the loose diamonds were 20−30% more than other places we had looked at diamonds. Hmmmm…
We eventually deemed this saleswoman too pushy and rude to really get our business. You know, shopping for your wedding rings is supposed to be a fun, significant step in your commitment. Coming onto people too strong is a surefire way to ruin that experience for them… and have them shop somewhere else.
Later, we were told by a friend who works in an ER that most emergency rooms have the ability to cut tungsten rings… after we already bought a white gold one from a different jeweler.
Oh well.